But not many people know that the invention of the character is all down to a place famed for Jewish comedians.

Superhero expert Rabbi Simcha Weinstein told the Jewish Telegraph: "Fans owe The Joker's existence to a chance encounter in America's Catskill Mountains, a popular resort for the nation's Jewish stand-ups."

Manchester-born Rabbi Weinstein, author of the 2006 book Up, Up And Oy Vey!, explained: "Batman creator Bob Kane met a 17-year-old guy there called Jerry Robinson.

"He noticed Robinson's hand-painted jacket on the tennis court and offered him a chance to join his artistic team.

"It was then that the Jewish duo invented a character called The Joker."

Heath Ledger as The Joker in The Dark Knight

Most of the superhero creators were Jewish, including Stan Lee (The Incredible Hulk and Spiderman) and Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster (Superman).

Many of the characters are also Jewish or have Jewish traits.

Rabbi Weinstein, 32, grew up in a traditional Jewish family, but was not religious.

His passion was not for Judaism, but popular culture and its heroes.

He recalled: "I loved James Bond, Indiana Jones, Spiderman and Star Wars."

Rabbi Weinstein studied film history at Manchester Metropolitan University and ended up as a location manager on television programmes such as Coronation Street and films like The Full Monty and Tomorrow Never Dies. He also worked for MTV.

However, Rabbi Weinstein felt something was missing spiritually.

He explained: "I guess I just want to be accepted. The Manchester Jewish scene was always extremely competitive and it was about being in the right crowd."

Rabbi Weinstein decided to go to yeshivah in Jerusalem, met and married his American wife Ariella and moved to Brooklyn, where he now lives, teaching at the Pratt Institute, a liberal arts college.

He still maintained his passion for superheroes and comic books - and there was plenty of research material at the college library for him to use.

His first book was published two years ago and looked at the early comic book creators, as children of immigrants who had to fight for truth and justice - portrayed by the superheroes they created.

Rabbi Weinstein said: "Quite a few of the comic strip characters had nebech tendencies - I like to describe Spiderman as Woody Allen with webbing.

"But a lot of them had Hebrew connotations. Superman's real name was Kal-el, which means voice of God in Hebrew.

"He was sent to another culture to save the world - much like Moses - there are lots of parallels."

The Incredible Hulk, according to Rabbi Weinstein, is a misunderstood figure based on the Golem of 16th century Prague - and can also be compared with Israel.

He said: "The Incredible Hulk is actually a gentle guy who just wants peace, much like Israel.

"However, when provoked he can turn aggressive."

Rabbi Weinstein's latest book, Shtick Shift: Jewish Humour in the 21st Century, is released in November.

It looks at how Jewish comedians can now be themselves and talk about all things Jewish.

He added: "Jews are over-represented in American comedy.

"In the 1920s through to the 60s, Jewish comedians had to play the shnorrer or the shlemazel, but now they are portrayed in a much better, wealthier light.

"There are Larry David, Jerry Seinfeld and Ari Gold (Jeremy Piven) in Entourage."

Rabbi Weinstein interviewed comedian Jerry Stiller, father of American comedy actor Ben, for the book.

"He was a nice guy," Rabbi Weinstein recalled.